Cartilage and Joint Structures Quiz

Overview of the Skeletal System

• Skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, and joints.
• Key functions of bones: protection, support, movement, storage of minerals (especially calcium), and blood cell formation.

Bone Types and Structures

• Types of bones:
  • Long bones (e.g., femur)
  • Short bones (e.g., carpals, tarsals)
  • Flat bones (e.g., skull bones)
  • Pneumatic bones (e.g., bones with sinuses)
  • Sesamoid bones (e.g., patella)
  • Accessory bones (extra bones in the body)
  • Heterotropic bones (pathological bone formations)
• Important to familiarize with various bony landmarks such as capitulum, condyle, tuberosity, and tubercle.

Cartilage

• Cartilage functions include shock absorption, load distribution, and friction reduction at joints.
• Types of cartilage:
  • Hyaline cartilage: found in articular surfaces, growth plates, and respiratory passages.
  • Fibrocartilage: present in intervertebral discs and menisci, provides support and shock absorption.
  • Elastic cartilage: more flexible, found in external ear and nose.

Cartilage Structure and Healing

• Cartilage is a connective tissue holding water for shock absorption.
• Lacks strong vascular and nerve supply, leading to challenges in nutrient delivery and healing.
• Benefits from compression and release for nutrient diffusion.

Joints Overview

• Joints categorized into three structural types:
  • Fibrous joints: connected by connective tissue, typically immovable; examples include skull sutures and gomphoses (tooth sockets).
  • Cartilaginous joints: slightly movable, differentiated into:
    • Symphyses: connected by fibrocartilage (e.g., pubic symphysis).
    • Synchondroses: connected by hyaline cartilage (e.g., between ribs and costal cartilage).
  • Synovial joints: freely movable, allowing extensive range of motion; include several types:
    • Plain joints, hinge joints, pivot joints, bicondylar joints, ellipsoid joints, saddle joints, and spheroidal (ball-and-socket) joints.

Synovial Joints

• Examples of synovial joints:
  • Hinge joints: one degree of freedom (e.g., elbow).
  • Pivot joints: allow rotation (e.g., neck vertebrae).
  • Condyloid joints: two degrees of motion (e.g., wrist).
  • Saddle joints: facilitate opposition in thumbs.
• Importance of understanding joint types for movement mechanics and anatomy.

Conclusion

• Physical therapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitation post-fracture, focusing on restoring movement and strength.
• Familiarization with bone and joint structures, types, and their functions is key for anatomy studies.